A jubilant Lolo Tranquilino, 116 years old resident of GRACES, a DSWD managed center for abandoned, neglected, lost and unattached older persons was presented with a gift pack during the Launching of the National Respect for Centenarians Day, culminating activity of Elderly Filipino Week celebration, held last Friday at SM North Skydome.With Lolo Tranquilino are Sec. Judy Taguiwalo, Dra. Clarita Carlos, DSWD-Protective Services (PSB) Director Pacita Sarino, Danny Chavez of SM Cares, Salvacion Basiano, NAPC older persons sectoral representative, Jorge Banal, President of FSCAP-NCR, and the staff of DSWD PSB.

Speaking in Visayan and Tagalog, Lolo Tranquilino Cabiling, 116, narrated his experiences as a soldier who fought during World War II.

Despite his age, Lolo Tranquilino still has a lucid memory. He vividly recalled the events in the last World War during an interview at the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Other Special Cases (GRACES) in Bago, Bantay, Quezon City, where he is temporarily residing.

GRACES is a facility managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for abandoned, lost and neglected older persons.

Born on July 6, 1901, he is still fit except for dizzy spells. Asked how his health is, he quipped, “Malakas pa naman ako, nahihilo lang minsan (I’m still strong, I just feel dizzy sometimes).”

He attributes his long life to being a vegetarian.

“At saka wala akong bisyo (And I have no vices),” he continued.

To while away his time, he does gardening, and even washes his own clothes.

A native of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, he has a wife, three children, and seven grandchildren.

Edwin Morata, Social Welfare Officer III at GRACES explained that they were able to trace Lolo Tranquilino’s family and will soon reintegrate him with them.

Another GRACES resident, Trinidad C. Antiola, 72, will be transferred to Anawin facility in Montalban. Edwin said that since residents at GRACES can only stay there on a temporary basis, they need to find permanent facilities.

Lola Trinidad hails from Pagadian, Zamboanga Del Sur. Since she is still strong, she helps in looking after other residents who are already senile.

“Minsan mahirap silang pagsabihan, merong iba na gustong umalis o tumakas kasi nabo-bore daw sila dito sa center (Sometimes, it is hard to talk to them. There are those who want to leave or escape because they are bored in the center),” Lola Trinidad narrated.

To keep the residents occupied, the center staff conduct recreational activities and special events, such as sportsfests, pageants, Santacruzan, as well as livelihood skills training, which the elderly enjoy.

At GRACES, living quarters, food, clothing and beddings are provided to the seniors to approximate family life. House parents work on shifts to attend to the elders’ needs.

Senior citizens are also provided with a host of programs and services like health and medical which include consultation, treatment and referral for physical and mental conditions. Spiritual services, activities for social interaction, relaxation and fun among residents are integral parts of the activities at the center.

Occupational and recreational activities are given also to enhance the residents’ vocational skills and capacity to earn to prepare for the day when they will be reintegrated with their relatives, if ever.

Challenges

Edwin admits that working in a center is a great challenge.

“You need tons of patience and understanding,“ Edwin said.

He used to work at DSWD-NCR Crisis Intervention Unit and Stairway Foundation, a non-government organization.

Asked why he went back to DSWD, he replied, “Nandito na puso ko, mas masarap sa pakiramdam na alam mong naglilingkod ka sa kapwa mo na nangangailangan, and that you are making a difference in their lives (My heart is here, it makes me feel good to know that I am serving those who are needy).”

“We are also far from our families, so we feel that we are returning the love and appreciation of our parents to the older persons that we take care of,” Edwin expounded.

On the other hand, Joy Banaban, 25, another GRACES staff, shared that her greatest challenge is, “Managing the difficult behavior of the lolas and lolos. Sometimes, they are cranky and grouchy especially when they are not feeling well but, naiintindihan naman namin ang sitwasyon nila, kailangan lang po talagang habaan ang aming pasensiya (But we understand their situation, we just have to be very patient).”

She said her most memorable experiences are, “When our residents are reintegrated to their families, and we see that they are happy to be reunited with them, because even if we take good care of them, the lolos and lolas here still long for the love and attention of their families.”

To cope with the demands of their job, Edwin said he tries to maintain a fun learning and working environment. They also have wellness breaks like engaging in Zumba dance exercise sessions.

Like most of the staff of DSWD managed centers, majority of the workers at GRACES are under the so-called Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), only the center head and doctor are regular employees.

The facility also needs more vehicles. Currently, only one ambulance is available.

GRACES has 200 bed-capacity but is currently serving 340 clients so there is a need to add more cottages.

For 2016, GRACES operates on a budget of P28,124,250 million of which P24,496,708.86 have been utilized.

For 2017, GRACES has a proposed budget of P32,571,356.

The staff narrated that there are times that they have to call for a taxi to bring a sick resident to the hospital.

“We also wish that more people will visit the older persons here, they get lonely and they like it when visitors drop by the center to interact with them, like what showbiz personality and blogger, Ms. Mocha Uson did. “ Edwin stated.

Naghahanap ang mga lola at lolo ng pagmamahal at atensyon, gusto nila na may kumakausap sa kanila (The lolas and lolos long for love and attention, they want people to talk to them),” he added.

For her part, Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo stated that she recognizes the problems of DSWD staff assigned in the centers.

“Alam namin na may mga kakulangan kaya’t kasalukuyan naming inaayos ang mga sistema upang mapabuti ang serbisyo sa aming mga centers at mapangalagaan din ang kapakanan ng mga empleyado (We know that there are limitations so we are currently fixing the systems to improve the services in our centers, and at the same time take care of the well-being of our employees).” ###